Oliver Tree Nickell (June 29, 1993 โ June 14, 2026) was an American singer-songwriter, rapper, and filmmaker. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Tree signed to Atlantic Records in 2017 after his song โWhen Iโm Downโ went viral.
๐ Early Life and Family
Oliver Tree Nickell was born on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, to Jesse Louis Nickell III and Christine Marie. His father worked as a real estate contractor and both of his parents were traveling circus performers.
Because of their career with the circus, Tree spent most of his early childhood living in a motor home, traveling extensively across the United States. He grew up surrounded by musical instruments that lined the walls of the vehicle, which heavily fostered his early creativity.
๐ต Musical Beginnings
Tree began taking classical piano lessons at age three, started writing original compositions at four, and claimed to have written a full album by the time he was six years old. His family settled permanently in Santa Cruz when he was 12 years old.
During middle school, he picked up the guitar, began singing, and joined a local Santa Cruz ska band called Irony. During his high school years, Tree transitioned away from ska towards electronic music and hip-hop.
๐ฟ Career Milestones
Tree signed to Atlantic Records in 2017 and released his debut studio album Ugly Is Beautiful on July 17, 2020. He published his second studio album, Cowboy Tears, on February 18, 2022; his third studio album, Alone in a Crowd, on September 29, 2023; and his fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, on April 24, 2026.
Throughout his career, he was best known for his trolling, meme marketing, and signature bowl cut. Tree died on June 14, 2026, in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
๐ Personal Life and Death
Tree and singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez began dating in 2019; the two separated amicably in June 2020. In 2022, he said that he was โexploring polyamory.โ
On the morning of June 14, 2026, Tree was one of four passengers aboard a helicopter in Rio de Janeiro. The collision is under investigation.
| Album | Release Date | Label | Notable Singles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ugly Is Beautiful | July 17, 2020 | Atlantic Records | โAlien Boyโ, โHurtโ, โMiracle Manโ, โLet Me Downโ |
| Cowboy Tears | February 18, 2022 | Atlantic Records | โCowboys Donโt Cryโ, โFreaks & Geeksโ |
| Alone in a Crowd | September 29, 2023 | Atlantic Records | โHere We Go Againโ, โBounceโ, โOne & Onlyโ |
| Love You Madly Hate You Badly | April 24, 2026 | Alien Boy Records (independent) | โSuperheroโ |